Saudi Arabia

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Nicholas Fitzraymond Parker, also known as Ali Abd al-Malik, is an Englishman who has resided and travelled in the Middle East for more than two decades, embraced Islam and who truly straddles both cultures - living in local Arab society (speaking only Arabic) and being equally at home in the Royal Courts as travelling and fighting with tribesmen, while, in England, being an armiger, Freeman of the City of London (and liveryman), underwriting member of Lloyd's and former chairman of the Royal Society of St. George.

The largest single portion of his time in the Middle East has been in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but he is familiar with most countries in Arabia, as well as the northern Arab World and the Islamic World in general. Whilst his main work in policy and diplomacy has gained him access to Royal Courts, his voluntary work chairing conferences and lectures for the Muslim World League has made him a public figure in Arabia, where his private life has generated expertise in the fields of Arabian bureaucracy, law, banking, and general commerce.

He now operates from London as an independent consultant, advising British, Commonwealth and European companies how best to prosper in the Middle East. The service comprises advice on everything from translating business cards to arranging Royal Audiences. It can be accessed at the website www.middleeastadvice.com.

This guide to Saudi Arabia business etiquette and culture covers many aspects of doing business in Saudi Arabia. It is our goal to provide practical, accurate, and up-to-date tips on Saudi Arabia business culture and etiquette, written by experts in business consulting in Saudi Arabia. We encourage visitors to leave questions or comments on on our discussion boards, moderated by experts in intercultural training and business. Your contributions help us make Executive Planet™ the most comprehensive resource on Nicholas Fitzraymond Parker business etiquette and culture on the Internet.

This guide contains the following articles:

Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles, adherance to company policy, and more on Saudi Arabia business culture . . .
Prosperous Entertaining - typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for business entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating etiquette, mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for hosting a banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting and declining invitations, and more on Saudi Arabia business etiquette. . .
Appointment Alert! - typical vacation times, recommended apppointment times, length of the lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an appointment, best arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on Saudi Arabia business culture. . .
Gift Giving - recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and bad colours for wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups, guidelines for receiving gifts, and more on Saudi Arabia business culture. . .
First Name or Title? - using titles such as 'Doctor', naming conventions to avoid, when to use first names, and more. . .
Public Behaviour - how to greet strangers and introduce yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable demeanor, rules for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on Saudi Arabia business culture. . .
Business Dress - is dress modest, conservative, etc., specific dress requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to social functions, and more on Saudi Arabia business culture. .
Conversation - welcome and unwelcome topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice to be used, whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on Saudi Arabia business etiquette. .. . .